U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES l National Institutes of Health l National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Wheelchair Transfer

A Health Care Provider’s Guide

contents

Six Steps to a Safe 

Wheelchair Transfer

1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Determine 

the patient’s needs

Step 2: Prepare the 

dental operatory

2.....................

Step 3: Prepare the 

wheelchair

Step 4: Perform the 

two-person transfer

3.....................

Step 5: Position the 

patient after the transfer

Step 6: Transfer from 

the dental chair to 

the wheelchair

S

ome patients who use wheelchairs can transfer themselves 

into the dental chair, but others need assistance. The 

extent of your involvement will depend on the patient’s or 

caregiver’s ability to help. Most people can be transferred safely 

from wheelchair to dental chair and back by using the two-person 

method. The following outline describes a safe transfer with a 

minimum of apprehension for the patient and clinician. Practice 

these steps before doing an actual patient transfer.

Six Steps to a Safe Wheelchair Transfer

Step 1: Determine the patient’s needs

Ask the patient or caregiver about

• preferred transfer method

• patient’s ability to help 

• use of special padding or a device for collecting urine 

• probability of spasms

Reduce the patient’s anxiety by announcing each step 

of the transfer before it begins.

Step 2: Prepare the dental operatory

Remove the dental chair armrest or move it out 

of the transfer area.

Relocate the hoses, foot controls, operatory light, and 

bracket table from the transfer path.

Position the dental chair at the same height as the 

wheelchair or slightly lower.

Transferring to 

a lower level 

minimizes the 

amount of strength 

necessary during 

the lift.
Step 3: Prepare the wheelchair

 Remove the footrests.

 Position the wheelchair close to and parallel 

to the dental chair.

 Lock the wheels in place and turn the front 

casters forward.

 Remove the wheelchair armrest next to the 

dental chair.

 Check for any special padding or equipment.

Step 4: Perform the 

two-person transfer

 Support the patient while detaching the 

safety belt.

 Transfer any special padding or equipment 

from the wheelchair to the dental chair.

 First clinician: Stand behind the patient. Help the patient cross his arms across his 

chest. Place your arms under the patient’s upper arms and grasp his wrists.

Second clinician: Place both hands under the patient’s lower thighs. Initiate and 

lead the lift at a prearranged count (1–2–3–lift).

Both clinicians: Using your leg and arm muscles while bending your back as little 

as possible, gently lift the patient’s torso and legs at the same time.

Securely position the patient in the dental chair and replace the armrest.

The two-person Transfer

First clinician stands behind the patient. Second clinician initiates the lift.

2
wheelchair transfer

3

Step 5: Position the patient 

after the transfer

Center the patient in the dental chair.

Reposition the special padding and safety 

belt as needed for the patient’s comfort.

If a urine-collecting device is used, 

straighten the tubing and place the bag 

below the level of the bladder.

Step 6: Transfer from the dental 

chair to the wheelchair

Position the wheelchair close to and parallel 

to the dental chair.

Lock the wheels in place, turn the casters 

forward, and remove the armrest.

Raise the dental chair until it is slightly higher than 

the wheelchair and remove the armrest.

Transfer any special padding.

Transfer the patient using the two-person transfer (see step 4).

Reposition the patient in the wheelchair.

Attach the safety belt and check the tubing of the urine-collecting device, 

if there is one, and reposition the bag.

Replace the armrest and footrests.

This information can make a difference in your efforts to provide oral health care 

for patients who use a wheelchair. A skilled and sensitive dental staff can instill 

confidence during the transfer and encourage the patient to maintain a regular 

appointment schedule.
This booklet is one in a series on providing oral care for people 

with mild or moderate developmental disabilities. The strategies 

listed are intended to provide general guidance on how to complete a safe wheelchair transfer.

Other booklets in this series:

Continuing Education: Practical Oral Care for People

 With Developmental Disabilities

Practical Oral Care for People With Autism

Practical Oral Care for People With Cerebral Palsy

Practical Oral Care for People With Down Syndrome

Practical Oral Care for People With Intellectual Disability

Dental Care Every Day: A Caregiver’s Guide

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 

thanks the oral health professionals and caregivers who 

 contributed their time and expertise to reviewing and 

pretesting the Practical Oral Care series.

expert review panel

•	Mae Chin, RDH, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

•	Sanford J. Fenton, DDS, University of Texas, Houston, TX

•	Ray Lyons, DDS, New Mexico Department of Health, 

Albuquerque, NM

•	Christine Miller, RDH, University of the Pacific, 

San Francisco, CA

•	Steven P. Perlman, DDS, Special Olympics Special Smiles, 

Lynn, MA

•	David Tesini, DMD, Natick, MA

Acments

National Institute of Dental 

and Craniofacial Research

SAFER • HEALTHIER • PEOPLETM

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

Special Care Dentistry 

Association

For additional copies of this booklet, contact

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse

1 NOHIC Way

Bethesda, MD 20892–3500

1–866–232–4528

www.nidcr.nih.gov

This publication is not copyrighted. 

Make as many photocopies as you need.

NIH Publication No. 09–5195

Reprinted July 2009